Prevalence of Schistosomiasis Among Female Adolescents in Oti Sub-District of East Krachi in the Volta Region, Ghana

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Schistosomiasis is the second most important parasitic disease after malaria. The construction of the Akosombo Dam in Ghana resulted in an increase in cases of schistosomias in communities in the Lake Volta Basin, including the Oti sub-district of the Krachi East District of the Volta Region. Repeated mass drug administration (MDA) of praziquantel have been undertaken. Long term endemicity puts women at risk of female genital schistosomiasis. METHODS A survey to determine the current prevalence of schistosomiasis infection was conducted among primary school children selected through simple random sampling in the Oti sub-district. Sampling per school was proportional to number on class row. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered, while urine samples were collected and examined for Schistosoma ova. Urine was also tested for blood using urinalysis strips. RESULTS The prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis was 7.58% and 7.00% using laboratory- based and strip analysis respectively. About 5.87% of young female adolescents who took praziquantel for the preceding three months tested positive of haematobium ova. The majority (76.28%) of school children did not have toilet facilities in their homes. General knowledge about the causes and prevention of schistosomiasis was high, however female genital schistosomiasis was scarcely-known. CONCLUSION Repeated MDA with praziquantel is likely to account for the low prevalence in this sub-district. Determining the community prevalence of schistosomiasis through strip urinalysis could a cheaper approach to assessing endemicity. Poor sanitation remains a major problem in this sub-district.